Building Rescue Love

A Tail to Tell!

In talking about our respective causes & procedures with Stephanie, the author & proprietor of Crystal Allure Creations, the conversation turned to developing designs. Years ago, I'd designed a collection for her transplant awareness foundation, Lungs for Life, of butterflies. Flights of Life represent the gift of new breath with healthy lungs, post-transplant.  I ran her through the steps of how I do a watercolor note card design. It's similar to the process I showed a few months back in doing my Bird Squares.

It may seem like a lot of extra work, and, in a way, it is. But, what I find is that it makes me feel more secure in approaching an art piece.

One of the bad habits we have, as artists, is to overwork a piece . By taking a few extra steps, that tendency can be avoided.

Inspiration for the Painting: The Minions

Sketch for Minions & Squirrel
©Bronson Hill Arts 2014

I start with a basic sketch on regular sketch paper. It enables me to safely erase errors without real damage to the paper's texture. Once I have the lines & composition I want, I darken those details and lightly erase the superfluous marks.

Then I scan the picture into the computer. I can clean up any stray pencil marks and sometimes see what needs to be fine tuned on the following sketch.

Yes, the following sketch: I'll make a print onto heavier paper (such as watercolor paper) and adjust as many deficits as I can. At that point, I'll add the crosshatch/shading to the image. Then, you guessed it, scan it again.

Shaded Sketch for Minions & Squirrel
©Bronson Hill Arts 2014

Why? If I'm not satisfied with the second step, I can do it again! The same principle applies to the 3rd, , 4th, etc., steps!

Once I finish the sketch completely, I'll make a copy on higher quality watercolor paper. From there, I can paint away!

If I fumble, I can easily start again at any point I'd like. It takes a certain hesitancy out of the flow. I've used this method several times over & love the freedom it gives me to try. And try again, if necessary!

Making Progress on Minions & Squirrel

That being said, here is the final painting of the Kitty Kapers "Minions & Squirrel" card:

A very special "Thank you!" to Dina & her family for the great photograph &, mostly, the fantastic amount of love they put into raising these fur babies, the Minions, from the beginning!

The Minions & Squirrel
5x7 Watercolor on 140# Canson Paper
©BEDeuel Bronson Hill Arts 2014

All profits on the Note Card collections are given to the specified charity. In the case of Kitty Kapers, the proceeds will go to Another Chance Pet Rescue. 

A Little Giving...

Pink Rose
5x8 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

I’ve been so fortunate in being surrounded by giving, kind friends and family, that when there is constant conflict in the air, it can be difficult to look comfortably beyond my own personal world.

In this era of in-fighting, where it seems that everyone is looking to block success for anyone who doesn’t agree with them, it’s so easy to forget that the world is full of generosity.

Generosity is still an intricate part of human behavior. It just tends to be overshadowed by the rush of everyday activities. We can be moving at such a frantic pace that we miss all the little things that make society successful on a daily basis.

The opening or holding of a door. “Clicking” on donation sites to help animals. Giving your time to help someone who is ill. Brightening a stranger’s day with a smile. Appreciating the person who serves you in a store. And so many other gestures that connect us.

These are all acts of generosity that make our lives smoother, better. Small as they seem, they are the bigger part of us.

Savor every moment of kindness that comes your way!

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Along the same line of thought, the art shown here is a sample of generosity: a gift card from a dear, wonderful friend for my, ahem, 50^th, gave me the opportunity to try another medium. These are first attempts with water soluble crayons. Having fun working with something new and learning to illustrate flowers (one of my favorite things!). All thanks to the thoughtfulness of one of the many wonderful people in my life!

Purple Petunias
8x10 Water Soluble Crayons on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

Single Dahlia
8x10 Water Soluble Crayon on 140# Canson Paper
©2013 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts